Kia woke up with a start, the faint smell of Rylan's scent still lingering on his shirt. He blinked, expecting to see Rylan lying on the couch or sitting somewhere nearby… but the room was empty.
Too empty.
The blanket that had been draped over Rylan was gone. His shirt, the one torn from the night before? Gone. No footsteps. No breathing. No note.
Kia sat up quickly, heart racing.
"Rylan?"
Silence.
He checked the bathroom—nothing. The kitchen—nothing. Even Max wasn't around.
His chest squeezed with a quiet panic.
Did he run? Did he regret opening up? Did he leave me? Again?
Just as he reached for his shoes to go look for him, a loud car horn blared outside. Kia froze. Slowly, he walked to the window and peered out.
A sleek black car pulled up.
The passenger door opened.
Rylan stepped out.
Laughing.
Laughing with someone Kia had never seen before.
A tall guy in a dark jacket walked around the car and nudged Rylan's shoulder like they shared a secret joke. The two of them looked… close. Too close.
Rylan's hair was tied loosely, he looked freshly showered, and he had a smile on his face—not forced, not guarded. A real smile.
Kia's stomach twisted painfully.
He stayed by the door as the two entered. Rylan saw him first, the smile softening but not disappearing.
"Kia, morning," he said casually, as if last night hadn't happened. "I want you to meet someone."
The guy stepped forward, extending a hand.
A polite smile curved his lips, but his eyes—those eyes—were sharp, territorial, calculating.
"Kai, right? Nice to meet you," the guy said.
Kia shook his hand, but his gaze flicked to Rylan.
"Who… is he?"
Rylan didn't hesitate.
"Oh—this is Liam," he said lightly. "A friend."
Liam glanced at Rylan when he said friend, something flickering in his eyes—something dark and possessive.
He placed a hand on Rylan's shoulder.
Comfortable. Familiar. Claiming.
Kia's jaw tightened.
He didn't know Liam, but he knew that look.
That subtle tilt of the chin.
That silent warning: He's with me.
It made something hot and ugly churn in Kia's chest.
He stayed quiet.
He didn't want to fight.
He didn't want to show jealousy.
He didn't even know if he had the right.
But the truth burned all the same.
Who is this guy to Rylan?
And why does he feel like he owns him?
Rylan, oblivious or pretending not to notice, smiled faintly and walked toward the kitchen.
"Kai, can you help me with something?" he asked without turning back.
Liam's eyes followed Rylan like a wolf stalking prey.
Kia forced a smile.
"Sure."
Liam's smirk widened—just a fraction, barely noticeable—but Kia saw it.
He saw everything.
He felt something cold crawl down his spine.
This man wasn't just a friend.
He was a threat.
And Kia—unable to confront or claim—could only stand there, heart aching, watching Rylan laugh with another man as if last night had never happened.
Author pov
I am so so sorry for posting late, I was busy doing something urgent, but take kisses 😘